Apr. 3, 2013

A skier heads out onto a trail at Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area in front of the ski chalet March 19. / Dan Young/Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

Kathy Beatty of Rib Mountain, from left, Karen Graff of town of Mosinee and Carol Svaldi of Wausau near the end of their ski trek at Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area in Rib Mountain on March 19. / Dan Young/Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

IF YOU GO

David Crowther of Grand Rapids cross-country skis in January 2012 on the ski trails at Nepco Lake. / Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

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On skiing at Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area ...

“I like to ski at Nine Mile because it has a great variety of terrain and trails, and those trails are well marked and always well groomed. My husband and I often ski there with our four kids. Our family is able to split up into groups and take varying routes based on differing skill and endurance levels. Then we all enjoy meeting back up at the chalet for some hot chocolate!”

Janet Thompson, Merrill

“Having over 6 kilometers of the trails lit for night skiing is so nice during the dark months of January and February. Another bonus is that kids 11 and younger ski for free and rental for them is only $5 each. For $5 each, I can take my 10-year-old and his buddies skiing, and they always have big smiles on their faces when they’re done.

I’m an avid cyclist (3,000+ miles on the road each year). Having cross-country skiing available close to home during the winter months allows me to keep my fitness level up during the off season.”

On skiing at Underdown Recreation Area ...

“The Underdown is a largely undiscovered treasure for cross-country skiing.

In a way, I hate to tell anyone about it, as we have skied there an entire afternoon on well-groomed, scenic and challenging trails without seeing anyone else. But I fear that if it remains so underused, Lincoln County will not be able to afford to maintain it. I have been skiing there for almost 35 years. There are a number of trail options, from 45 minutes to about three hours in length, with various cutoff options that allow for different routes. They all go through beautiful wooded country, with some upland woods and some lowland woods. There also are some hills to keep it interesting, a few of which challenge one’s ability to remain vertical. The exciting ones also have bypass trails that are less difficult.

The trail system is one-way, so you don’t have to worry about collisions on the hills. Back when I first learned to ski there, it was two-way and you had to yell ahead before going down some of the hills to be sure you didn’t become a human bowling ball on the hills that also feature curves.”